Just wondering if any other countries are getting no paddle shifters across the range? On every brochure/sales guide downunder there is a little *. And at the bottom states Paddle Shifters Not Available for Australia
Nobody seems to know why we cant have them......

Once again the idiots at ADR have screwed things up and made life difficult for BMW Australia to have this option included. A bunch of wankers in you ask me about ADR. It's okay for all other countries except for our country.

Think that paddles are reserved for the 35i only for most markets. But are they really useful on a SUV anyhow? And generally, the BMW-paddles are been pretty bad compared to the competition. The shift-up and down on all paddles non-sense didn't really work that well.

Bummer to hear you can't get them if you want them. I have them and have tried using them a few times and don't find it very useful. With the eight speed transmission, you're so quickly out of the sweet spot that you're shifting a whole lot in a dynamic situation (hills, curves) etc. Might get more intuitive if I practiced it more, but I found it distracting. It was a bit useful in a situation when you want to force the transmission out of the sweet spot (long, gradual decent at medium speed where the auto keeps you in a lower gear), but then the program only allows you to do that so long.

Dunno if that helps at all. If you already have experience and like them, I'm sure it doesn't!

Think that paddles are reserved for the 35i only for most markets. But are they really useful on a SUV anyhow? And generally, the BMW-paddles are been pretty bad compared to the competition. The shift-up and down on all paddles non-sense didn't really work that well.

The paddles have been re-configured by BMW for recent updates and new models including the F25 X3. They now perform separate up and down shift functions consistent with other manufacturers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Bummer to hear you can't get them if you want them. I have them and have tried using them a few times and don't find it very useful. With the eight speed transmission, you're so quickly out of the sweet spot that you're shifting a whole lot in a dynamic situation (hills, curves) etc. Might get more intuitive if I practiced it more, but I found it distracting. It was a bit useful in a situation when you want to force the transmission out of the sweet spot (long, gradual decent at medium speed where the auto keeps you in a lower gear), but then the program only allows you to do that so long.

Dunno if that helps at all. If you already have experience and like them, I'm sure it doesn't!

In my experience, shifting the transmission into sports mode is where the paddles are most useful as it will hold gears for longer giving you more flexibility with when you shift. This can be both useful and fun, even with the diesel engines !

I love my paddle shifters. I don't use them if I'm just heading to the gym or grocery, but when I'm on a back road or the freeway, they're great. The learning curve was a bit steep for me. But now that I can do it without having to constantly check my gear, it's great.

+1
I love my paddles. They allow me to keep both hands on the wheel and maneuver thru traffic with lots of fun and grins. Downshifting while braking hard is what it’s all about…practice that and you will see what I mean.

I installed the E46 M3 steering wheel with paddle shift on my E53 X5 and enjoyed the novelty for a while. But I haven't found regular use and because you're so used to driving in auto mode, even when you're in sports mode you forget to upshift or downshift. It's annoying in that sense.

That's one reason I didn't want to option my current M3 with the M-DCT. I habve an old fashioned manual box.

I might be wrong with the paddle shifts - it might not at all be an ADR issue - BMW Australia might have made the decision not to include it because I was told over 75% of X1, 3 and 5 owners or opting for diesel. So given the application with the diesel, they might have decided not to include. My 2c.

Just had a play with the loan 123d which came with the paddles. They are fun, but the car's Auto keeps putting it back to D even when you dont want it to.
Wish you could have them perminatley in paddle mode and then have to option to switch back to auto D mode when you want. I know this is how the Mitsubishi Evolution X's work.....would be great in a BMW too